Published: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 09:57 PM.

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This week’s Lenoir County Smiles recipientis Jeff Howard, right, with Nationwide Insurance in La Grange.Heis accepting a gift from Lucy Marston, Lenoir County Tourism director, in recognition of ‘customer service beyond expectations.’ The weekly winners are chosen by recommendations from the community and will receive a small gift and be pictured in the Sunday edition of The Free Press, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This is the eighth year of the program, which began in 2006 to foster ‘good, friendly service with a Smile.’ The program is sponsored by Lenoir County Tourism and The Free Press. To nominate someone, contact Marston at the Kinston-Lenoir County Visitor’s and Information Center, 252-522-0004 or lenoircountytourism@suddenlinkmail.com.

This week’s Lenoir County Smiles recipientis Jeff Howard, right, with Nationwide Insurance in La Grange.Heis accepting a gift from Lucy Marston, Lenoir County Tourism director, in recognition of ‘customer service beyond expectations.’ The weekly winners are chosen by recommendations from the community and will receive a small gift and be pictured in the Sunday edition of The Free Press, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This is the eighth year of the program, which began in 2006 to foster ‘good, friendly service with a Smile.’ The program is sponsored by Lenoir County Tourism and The Free Press. To nominate someone, contact Marston at the Kinston-Lenoir County Visitor’s and Information Center, 252-522-0004 or lenoircountytourism@suddenlinkmail.com.

A regular game will be played at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday at Fairfield Center. The club welcomes and encourages all bridge players.

For more club information, call 252-523-6791.

Library kicks off summer reading

A kick off to Dig into Reading will be at 3 p.m. today at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library, 510 N. Queen St.

A guest from the Aurora Fossil Museum will teach about fossils, followed by a chance to dig into fossil material from Potash Corporation. Come prepared to dig in and bring a bucket or bag to take home your findings.

The summer reading program — Monday to Aug. 2 — is for ages 4 to 12. Children must have completed pre-kindergarten to participate. Here’s the schedule throughout the Neuse Regional system.

Kinston: 4 and 7 p.m. Mondays and 11 a.m. Thursdays, Toddler 9:15 and Preschool Story Time 10:45 a.m. Tuesdays; La Grange, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, with Preschool Story Time at 9:30 a.m.; Pink Hill, 2 p.m. Thursdays, with Preschool Story Time at 1 p.m.; Greene County, Toddler and Preschool Story Time 9:15 and 10 a.m. Wednesdays, respectively.

The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library. For more information, call 252-527-7066, ext. 133.

Law firm welcomes new associate

James C. “Jim” Purnell V is a new associate at White & Allen, P.A. Kinston office. The Charlotte native is focusing on estate planning and administration, corporate law and tax planning.

Purnell graduated cum laude from N.C. State University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in business management. He received his law degree summa cum laude from N.C. Central University School of Law in 2012, and his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in taxation from New York University School of Law in May.

He and his wife, Carrie Dale, are looking forward to setting down roots and establishing life in Kinston.